System and method for composing menus of URL-encoded bar code symbols while using internet browser program

ABSTRACT

A computer-based system is provided for composing menus of URL-encoded bar code symbols specifying the location of Internet-based information resources on the Internet. In the illustrative embodiment, the system comprises a computer system operably connectable to the Internet and including a visual display screen, a keyboard, and printer. The system also includes a GUI-based Internet browser program and a URL-menu composition program supported by the computer system. The function of the GUI-based Internet browser program is to enable a user to access and display Internet-based information resources stored on an Internet information server at a location specified by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The function of the URL-menu composition program is to enable the user to compose a menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols while using the GUI-based Internet browser program. After the menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols has been composed, it may be edited and then printed on a selected print medium. By virtue of the present invention, any Internet-based information resource can be automatically accessed and displayed by reading its URL-encoded bar code symbol from the printed menu using a bar code symbol reader operably connected to an Internet-enabled computer system supporting a bar code driven Internet browser program.

RELATED CASES

This Application is a Continuation-in-Part of: application Ser. No.08/753,367 filed Nov. 25, 1996, now abandoned; application Ser. No.08/645,331 filed May 13, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,227; applicationSer. No. 08/615,054 filed Mar. 12, 1996; application Ser. No. 08/573,949filed Dec. 18, 1995 now abandoned; application Ser. No. 08/292,237 filedAug. 17, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,285; application Ser. No.08/365,193 filed Dec. 28, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,093; applicationSer. No. 08/293,493 filed Aug. 19, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,789;application Ser. No. 08/561,479 filed Nov. 20, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No.5,661,292; application Ser. No. 08/278,109 filed Nov. 24, 1993 now U.S.Pat. No. 5,484,992; application Ser. No. 08/489,305 filed Jun. 9, 1995now abandoned; Ser. No. 08/476,069 filed Jun. 7, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No.5,591,953; and application Ser. No. 08/584,135 filed Jan. 11, 1996 nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,616,908. Each said patent application is assigned to andcommonly owned by Metrologic Instruments, Inc. of Blackwood, N.J., andis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention is directed to a novel Internet scanning terminal,and method of surfing the Internet by scanning bar code symbols encodedwith the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) indicating the location ofinformation resources on the Internet to be explored, and also to anovel method of composing and printing lists and menus of URL-encodedbar code symbols identifying the location of such information resourceson the Internet.

2. Background of the Invention

Presently, several techniques have been developed for connecting to(i.e., "surfing" among) Internet-based information resources on theWorld Wide Web (WWW) using a conventional graphical user interface (GUT)based Internet browser programs, such as the Navigator® from NetscapeCommunications, Inc. or the Internet Explorer® from Microsoft, Inc. Theavailability of any particular Web-site surfing technique depends onwhere the Internet user finds him or her self in the Internet browserprogram at any particular instant of time.

For example, if one is currently at a Web-site (i.e., in a particularHyperText Markup Language (HTML) document), at. which there is ahighlighted or embedded "link" specifying the Internet address ofanother Web-site (i.e., another HTML document), then the user can "surfto" this other Web-site by simply "clicking on" or selecting thehighlighted URL with his or her pointing device (i.e., "mouse") in aconventional. manner. The ability to connect to other Web-sites bysimply pointing and clicking on a highlighted URL embedded in an HTMLdocument has contributed enormously to the growth and popularity of theInternet in the last few years.

If the user desires to connect to a Web-site that is not referenced in aHTML document viewed through a browser program, then the user oftentimesfinds it necessary to manually enter the URL of the Web-site (e.g.,"http://www.metrologic.com") into the browser program. This requiresmanually pressing a sequence of keys on a keyboard or remote controldevice, corresponding to the characters of the URL being selected. Inaddition to being time consuming, this Web-site surfing technique isprone to errors, causing the browser program to connect to the wrongWeb-site or return an error message stating that the Domain Name of theWeb-site sought after cannot be found. From a practical point of view,this is quite frustrating to the Internet user.

More recently, with the growth and ever increasing complexity of theWWW, it is becoming popular to use printed publications (e.g.,magazines, catalogues, directories, etc.) which list Web-sites,corresponding URLs and content description, as navigational aids, muchin the same way that the TV GUIDE® magazine is used to help viewersselect programs during television viewing. Again, however, each time alisted Web-site is chosen to be viewed, the user is forced to manuallyenter into the Internet browser program, the lengthy character stringassociated with the URL of the Web-site being selected. Only thereafterdoes the browser program automatically connect the user's client system(i.e., Internet Terminal) to the Internet Server computer supporting theselected Web-site.

While the development of HTML and GUI-based Web browser programs havemade accessing Web-sites quite simple, the above shortcomings anddrawbacks of prior art Internet technology clearly indicate a great needin the art for an improved system and method of surfing to Web-site onthe Internet.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved method and apparatus for surfing among information resourceson the Internet while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of priorart systems and methodologies.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an InternetScanning System which includes a bar code symbol reader for readingURL-encoded bar code symbols printed on various types of print mediawhich, when read thereby, automatically connects the Internet ScanningSystem to the Internet information serving that contains the informationresource specified by the scanned URL-encoded bar code symbol.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an InternetScanning System, wherein the bar code symbol reader may be a laserscanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD bar code symbol reader, or aWand-type bar code symbol reader.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an InternetScanning System, wherein the URL-encoded bar code symbol printed onvarious types of print media is a URL-encoded truncated-type bar codesymbol, having a very low height to length ratio, thereby allowing manyURL-encoded bar code symbols to be printed on a single sheet or page ofa Web-site guide, along with their corresponding human-readable URLs andcontent descriptions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an InternetScanning System in the form of a desktop, laptop or palmtop computersystem that is connected to the Internet by way of an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP), wherein the computer system has a GUI-based web browserprogram and a programmed bar code symbol scanner interfaced therewithfor automatically surfing to information resource (e.g., Web-sites)listed in a Web-site guide by simply scanning corresponding URL-encodedbar code symbols printed on the pages thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an InternetScanning System in the form of an interactive web-based televisionsystem, wherein the web-based television system comprises an Internetterminal unit connected to the Internet by way of an ISP, anaudio-visual display monitor for displaying graphical and audioinformation content of Web-sites, a portable Internet surfing devicehaving a wireless IR-based communication link to the Internet terminalunit and an integrated bar code symbol scanner for automatically surfingto (or among) Web-sites listed in a Web-site guide by simply scanningcorresponding URL-encoded bar code symbols printed on the pages thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an InternetScanning System in the form of a Scanner Integrated Terminal, whereinthe Scanner Integrated Terminal is connectable to the Internet by way ofa wireless (RF) link to an ISP, and has an integrated GUI-based webbrowser program, display panel, keypad, and programmed bar code symbolscanner for automatically surfing to Web-sites listed in a Web-siteguide by simply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbolsprinted on the pages thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method ofsurfing to Web-sites on the Internet by scanning URL-encoded bar codesymbols into GUI-based webb browser programs, without the need of manualdata entry operations or the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an InternetScanning System, which includes an optical character reader programmedto read the character strings of URLs printed on various types of printmedia which, when read thereby, automatically connects the InternetClient System to the Internet Server that supports the Web-sitespecified by the read URL.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an InternetScanning System in the form of a desktop, laptop or palmtop computersystem that is connected to the Internet by way of an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP), wherein the computer system has a GUI-based web browserprogram and a programmed optical character reader interfaced therewithfor automatically surfing to Web-sites listed in a Web-site guide bysimply reading corresponding URLs printed on the pages thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an InternetScanning System in the form of an interactive web-based televisionsystem, wherein the web-based television system comprises an Internetterminal unit connected to the Internet by way of an ISP, anaudio-visual (AV) display monitor for displaying graphical and audioinformation content of Web-sites, a portable Internet surfing devicehaving a wireless IR-based communication link to the Internet Terminalunit and an integrated optical character reader for automaticallysurfing to Web-sites listed in a Web-site guide by simply scanningcorresponding URLs printed on the pages thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an InternetScanning System in the form of a Scanner Integrated Terminal, whereinthe Scanner Integrated Terminal is connectable to the Internet by way ofa wireless (RF) link to an ISP, and has an integrated GUI-based webbrowser program, display panel, keypad, and programmed optical characterreader for automatically surfing to Web-sites listed in a Web-site guideby simply scanning corresponding URLS printed on the pages thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method ofsurfing to Web-sites on the Internet by optically scanning the characterstrings of URLs into GUI-based web browser programs, without the need ofmanual data entry operations and the like.

A Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel systemand method for printing URL-encoded bar code symbols on various types ofprint media which, when read thereby, automatically connects theInternet Client System to the Internet Server that supports the Web-sitespecified by the scanned URL-encoded bar code symbol.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a system inthe form of suitably programmed desktop Web-linked computer workstationor laptop computer system having a graphical user interface and anInternet browser program having a plug-in type URL-MenuComposition/Printing Module that supports the bar code menu composition,transmission and printing processes of the present invention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a system,in which the Internet browser program and plug-in URL-MenuComposition/Printing Module allows the user to easily compile thefollowing information structure during operation of the Internet browserprogram: a list of human-readable URLs corresponding to a set or courseof information serving Web-sites, a set of URL-encoded bar code symboldata structures corresponding thereto, a set of titles assigned to theURLs, a set of brief descriptions of content served at the Web-sites,and date or dates the set of Web-sites were last visited by thecompiler, for subsequent printing in the form of a menu.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a system,in which the compiled information structure can be electronicallytransmitted to a remote site, by e-mail, facsimile transmission, orother protocol available over the Internet, and thereafter printed outusing appropriate print-driver software, so that the Web-sites listed inthe compiled information structure can easily be visited by reading thecorresponding URL-encoded bar code symbol into the Internet browserprogram using a bar code scanner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel Web-siteguide or directory comprising one or more sheets having a plurality ofURL-encoded bar code symbols, corresponding human-readable URLs andWeb-site content descriptions printed thereon.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparenthereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of how to practice the Objects of thePresent Invention, the following Detailed Description of theIllustrative Embodiments should be read in conjunction with theaccompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the first illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, in which the Internet Scanning System hereof isrealized in the form of a desktop computer system shown connected to theInternet by way of an ISP, and having a GUI-based web browser programand a bar code symbol scanner for automatically surfing to Web-siteslisted iLn a Web-site guide by simply scanning corresponding URL-encodedbar code symbols printed on the pages thereof;

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a single sheet or page of theWeb-site Directory of the present invention, showing several URL-encoded(truncated) bar code symbols printed thereon along with theircorresponding human-readable URLs and content descriptions;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the second illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, in which the Internet Scanning System hereof isrealized in the form of an interactive web-based television system whichcomprises a Terminal Unit shown connected to the Internet by way of anISP and has a portable Internet Navigation (i.e., Surfing) Device havingan IR-link to the Terminal Unit, and a bar code symbol scannerintegrated therewith for automatically surfing to Web-sites listed in aWeb-site guide by simply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar codesymbols printed on the pages thereof;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the third illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, in which the Internet Scanning System hereof isrealized in the form of a hand-held Scanner Integrated Terminal shownconnected to the Internet by way of a wireless link to an ISP, andhaving an integrated GUI-based web browser program, display panel,keypad, and programmed bar code symbol scanner for automatically surfingto Web-sites listed in a Web-site guide by simply scanning correspondingURL-encoded bar code symbols printed on the pages, thereof;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an exemplary window of anInternet browser program running on the system of FIG. 1, and also anexemplary window for the URL-menu CTP Module plug-in of the presentinvention allowing its user to fan compose, transmit and printURL-encoded menus according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary sequence ofWeb-sites along a Web-site "surf course" that are to be digested withina URL-encoded menu composed and printed according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of an exemplary portion of aninformation storage structure for a URL-encoded Menu, showing thevarious information storage fields contained therein;

FIG. 6B is a schematic representation of an exemplary section of theUPL-encoded Menu of FIG. 6A, showing the various information displayfields contained therein;

FIGS. 7A and 7B provide a flow chart setting forth the steps carried outduring the execution of the illustrative embodiment of the Bar Code MenuComposition, Transmission and Printing Module of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of an exemplary 2-D URL-encoded barcode symbol of the PDF417 symbology, encoded according to the principlesof the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of an exemplary "multiple 1-D"URL-encoded bar code symbol structure according to the presentinvention, comprising a stack of discrete URL-encoded bar code symbolsof Code 93 Symbology, encoded according to the principles of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENTINVENTION

The illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the figure drawings wherein like elements andstructures are indicated by like reference numbers.

In general, the system and method of the present invention is practicedin connection with a globally-based digital telecommunications network(known as the Internet). The function of the Internet is to provide aninfrastructure that supports wired and wireless digitaltelecommunications throughout the world using the well known TCP/IPnetworking protocols. In general, the Internet infrastructure comprisesInternet Service Providers (ISPs), Network Service Providers (NSPs),routers, telecommunication lines and channels. etc., all well known inthe art.

Connected to the Internet 1 by way of the Internet infrastructure (i.e.,ISPs and NSPs) are many Internet Web-site Servers (i.e., computersystems) 2 that are physically located throughout the world and whosefunction is to serve information to Internet users when requested byclient computer systems (i.e., client systems) 3. In general, eachInternet Web-site Server 2 and client system 3 may be connected to theinfrastructure by way of an ISP 4 (or NSP) using physical communicationmedia or a wireless (RF-based) digital communication link 5 well knownin the art. Notably, while each illustrative embodiment of the InternetScanning System hereof is realized in the form of a Client Systemoperably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet by way of anISP, it is understood that the Internet connection may be achievedthrough an NSP or access point in the Internet infrastructure.

In the illustrative embodiments, each Internet Web-site Server 2 isrealized as a computer system running conventional Web-site serversoftware (e.g., WebStar® from StarNine, Inc.) and is interfaced with anISP in a conventional manner. Each Internet Web-site Server is assigneda unique TCP/IP address (and Domain Name) on the Internet, and isprovided with Internet networking software to support the TCP/IPprotocol. In addition, each Internet Web-site server is provided withone or more application software programs for creating and maintaininghypermedia documents containing text, graphics and audio informationwithin an information file structure expressed in HTML. Each HTMLdocument on the WWW is physically stored in an Internet Server 2. Thelocation of such information storage on the WWW is specified by aUniform Resource Locator (URL), the syntax of which is well known in theart. The function of a URL is best illustrated by way of example.Metrologic Instruments, Inc., the assignee of the present invention, haslaunched a WWW site having a "home page" (i.e., first page) specified bythe following URL: "http://www.metrologic.com". The type of informationmaintained at this Web-site, beginning with Metrologic's homes page, canbe of virtually any type of information (of a multi-media nature) andtypically will be updated over time to) reflect changes in either thecompany, its products, services and the like. The same is generally truefor each and every other Web-site on the Internet, regardless of thetype of information being served to client systems.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first illustrative embodiment of theInternet Scanning System hereof is realized in the form of a desktopcomputer system 6. As shown, the desktop computer system consisting ofvideo monitor 6A, processor 6B, keyboard 6C, mouse 6D, and Postscript®laser printer 35, is connected to the Internet by way of an ISP 4. Thecomputer system 6 has a GUI-based web browser program and a hand-held,wireless laser scanning bar code symbol reading system which isconnected to the communication port of this host system in aconventional manner. In the preferred embodiment, the wireless bar codesymbol reading system comprises a hand-supportable laser scanning barcode symbol reading device 7A and a base unit 7B which receives RFsignals transmitted from device 7A upon the successful reading of eachbar code symbol whereby; the base unit 7B then produces an acousticalacknowledgement signal in response to each such successful read. The barcode reading system can be realized by any one of the (i) wireless barcode symbol reading systems disclosed in copending application Ser. No.08/292,237 filed Aug. 17, 1994, or (ii) tethered bar code symbol readingsystems disclosed in copending application Ser. Nos. 08/476,069 and08/660,643, each said application being incorporated herein byreference.

The function of the programmed bar code symbol reader is to read a barcode symbol 8 that is encoded with the URL of a Web-site to be accessedby the Internet Scanning System, and produce symbol character datarepresentative of the URL. As used hereinafter, this special type of barcode symbol shall be referred to as a "URL-Encoded Bar Code Symbol". Theinformation structure of this symbol character string should beformatted so that it corresponds to the syntactical structure of the URLand is thus readily utilizable by any conventional GUI-based Internetbrowser program, such as the Navigator® from Netscape or the InternetExplorer® from Microsoft. In order to provide such conventional browserprograms with scanned-data input capabilities, a Plug-in Module (e.g.,browser subprogram) can be readily written and installed within thebrowser program. The function of the plug-in module is to (i)automatically read scanned URL information stored within an addresseddata buffer at the I/O port of the client computer platform (supportingthe Internet Scanning Terminal) 6, and (ii) write the URL information(in an appropriate format) to the data buffer assigned to the URL entrywindow 40A of the Internet browser display Screen 40 shown in FIG. 4,and then (iii) initiate the HyperText Transmission Protocol (HTTP) overthe Internet in order to access the information resource located at theURL. While it is preferred that each Internet Scanning System of thepresent invention has a preloaded Internet browser program provided withthe above-described plug-in module, or the functionalities providedthereby, it may be desirable in some instances to distribute ordown-load the browser program to client computer systems from anInternet-based Information Server on the WWW using the well known filetransfer protocol (FTP). In this way, conventional client computersystems can be converted into Internet Scanning Terminals according tothe present invention.

Once the Internet Scanning Terminal is provided with all Internetbrowser program with the above-described plug-in module offunctionalities, bar code symbol reader (e.g., a Metrologic ScannerMS951-48 with keyboard wedge) is connected to the data-input port of theclient computer platform 6 so that URLs encoded in printed bar codesymbols can be automatically entered as input into the Internet browserprogram by simply reading the printed URL-encoded bar code symbols.Whenever new URL information is provided to the Internet browser programby bar code symbol scanning, the particular information resourcecorresponding to the URL is automatically accessed by the InternetScanning System of the present invention. Such Internet accessoperations are achieved by the Internet browser program cooperating withthe addressed Internet Server and carrying out HTTP in a manner wellknown in the art.

In general, each URL-encoded bar code symbol of the present inventioncan be either a linear (1-D) or 2-D bar code symbol structure ofvirtually any symbology that allows for the encoding of the (ASCII-type)information contained within a URL-type information structure, thesyntax of which is well known in the art. In the preferred embodiment,the URL-Encoded Bar Code Symbol 8 is realized as a truncated-type barcode. symbol constructed using any one of the following bar codesymbologies: Code 128; full ASCII character set of Code 39; and Code 93.Preferably, each such bar code symbol is printed above, below oralongside each Web-site URL 14 or its listing in a Web-site guide ordirectory 13. Method and apparatus for composing and printing such barcode symbol lists and menus will be described in greater detailhereinafter. In general, the URL-encoded bar code symbol can be of anylength. Notably, the advantage of using the truncated bar code symbolstructure is that the height of the bars and spaces is relatively shortin relation to the length of the bar code, thus allowing the URL-encodedtruncated Symbol 8 to be easily printed adjacent each Web-site listingappearing on crowded pages of Web-site guides and catalogues, asillustrated in FIG. 1A.

In accordance with the present invention, Web-site listings and menus,in which URL-encoded bar code symbols may be printed, include varioustypes of printed guides, directories or publications which digest,catalogue, organize or otherwise list WWW sites or information resourcesthat exist on Web-site Servers throughout the Internet. Examples of suchprinted Web-site publications include, for example: the "WWW YellowPages" (1996) published by New Riders Publishers, Inc.; "PC NOVICE GUIDETO THE WEB: How to find anything on the Web" (1996) published by PeedCorporation; "Cybersurfer", published by Starlog Group, Inc.; "InternetUnderground", published by Ziff-Davis; "Internet User", published byZiff-Davis; "Internet World", published by Mecklermedia; "The Net",published by Imagine Publishing; "Net Guide", published by CMP Media;"Online Access", published by Red Flash Internet; "The Web", publishedby International Data Group; "Websight", published by New Media, Inc.;"Yahoo Internet Life", published by Ziff-Davis and Yahoo; WebTV Guides;or any other printed publication that one may use to find Web-sites (ofinterest) that one would like to visit (surf to) and explore.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the programmed bar code symbol scanner ofthe Internet Scanning System of the first illustrative embodiment isparticularly designed so that closely nested Web-site listings on asingle page can be read without inadvertently reading undesiredURL-encoded bar code symbols. This added scanning control feature isachieved in the bar code symbol reader 7A of FIG. 1 by providing theautomatic laser scanning bar code symbol reader 7A with anoptically-transparent scanning plate 9A supported from reader 7A by anoptically transparent extension 9B. The scanning plate 9A has formedtherein a sighting window (i.e., aperture) 10, through which aURL-encoded bar code symbol 8 is automatically scanned and read whensuch a printed symbol (on a substrate) is aligned with the sightingaperture. In this particular embodiment of the bar code symbol reader7A, the IR-based object detection field 11 extends just slightly beyondthe sighting window 10 so that the laser scanning by laser beam 12 isautomatically initiated only when an object (e.g., Web-site Guide) 13 isplaced up against the sighting window 10, as when the scanning plate isbrought in contact with URL-Encoded Bar Code Symbol 8 associated with aparticular Web-site listing, shown in FIG. 1A. The design andconstruction details associated with automatic bar code symbol reader 7Acan be found in Applicant's prior U.S. application Ser. No. 08/292,237filed Aug. 17, 1994, incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG.1, this scanning device can be provided with a keypad 15 in a mannerknown in the art, for manually entering the characters of URLs, asneeded or required.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the second illustrative embodiment of the InternetScanning System hereof is realized in the form of an interactiveweb-based television system 16 which comprises an Internet Terminal Unit17, a Remote Control Scanning Device 18 and a standard (NTSC or PAL)color television set 19. As shown, the Internet Terminal Unit 17 isconnected to The Internet by way of an ISP 4 and includes means forsupporting: (i) a GUI-based Netscape browser program such as theInternet Navigator® from Netscape Communications or the InternetExplorer® from Microsoft, Inc.; and (ii) the TCP/IP networking protocolon the Internet. In the preferred embodiment, the Internet Terminal Unit17 can be realized using any one of a number of commercially availableInternet Terminal devices, such as, for example: the Mediamaster 9500™Internet Terminal from Nokia, Inc.; the NetStation™ Internet Terminalfrom Acorn Computer; or the "Internet Digital Appliance" from Diba.

As shown in FIG. 2, the Remote Control Scanning Device 18 of the secondillustrative embodiment can be realized, by integrating a miniatureautomatic bar code symbol reading module 20 into the wireless remotecontrol device that is provided with the commercially available terminalunit that is used to practice this embodiment of the present invention.Preferably, automatic bar code symbol reading module 20 is similar tothe device described in great detail in Applicant's copendingapplication Ser. No. 08/292,237 supra. Such laser scanning engines, asthey are called, are commercially available from Metrologic Instruments,Inc., of Blackwood, N.J., under the tradename ScanQuest®. The manner inwhich such a laser scanning engine can be integrated into any one of theremote control devices of the above-identified Internet Terminals, andthus provide the Remote Control Scanning Device 18, will be describedbelow.

The Mediamaster 9500™ Internet Terminal from Nokia, Inc., theNetStation™ Internet Terminal from Acorn Computer, or the InternetDigital Appliance from Diba, are each provided with a wireless remotecontrol device which includes a programmable microcontroller (i.e.,microprocessor) operably connected to a system bus. The systemsubcomponents that are connected to this system bus structure include,for example: program memory realized in the form of EPROM 21; datastorage memory realized in the form of RAM 22; keypad 23, data storageregisters and interface circuitry; an IR-based communication circuit andinterface circuitry 24; and a power supply and power distributioncircuitry 25. In such commercial products, no visual display device(e.g., LCD panel) is provided, as all display functions are provided onthe television screen using an on-screen display format well known inthe art. Integration of an automatic ScanQuest® Laser Scanning Module(Model No. IS4120) into the system architecture of such wireless remotecontrol devices can be achieved by adding additional data registers tothe system bus, and connecting the data output port of the scanner tosuch registers in a conventional manner. Additional control logic willhave to be provided by the microcontroller in order to ensure priorityof the scan data from the scanner over the data entered manually intothe system. All such modifications are within the ordinary skill in theart.

As shown in FIG. 2, Remote Control Scanning Device 18 has anoptically-transparent scanning plate 9A supported by an opticallytransparent extension 9B. The scanning plate 9A has formed therein asighting window (i.e., aperture) 10, through which a URL-encoded barcode symbol 8 is automatically scanned and read when such a printedsymbol (on a substrate) is aligned with the sighting aperture. TheIR-based object detection field 11 extends just slightly beyond thesighting window 10 so that the laser scanning beam 12 is automaticallyinitiated only when an object (e.g., Web Guide) 13 is placed up againstthe sighting window 10, as when the scanning plate 9A is brought incontact with URL-Encoded Bar Code Symbol 8 associated with a particularWeb-site listing. During operation, the Remote Control Scanning Device18 is used to read URL-encoded bar code symbols 8 printed in Web-siteGuideBook 13 in order to connect to the corresponding Web-sites thereof.

While any standard (NTSC or PAL) color television set can be used inconnection with the Internet Terminal 17 to display graphical and audioinformation content associated with any particular Web-site accessed bythe system, it is preferred that a higher-resolution (VGA or SVGA)computer monitor is used in connection therewith to display highresolution graphics.

As shown in FIG. 3, the third illustrative embodiment of the InternetScanning System hereof is realized in the form of a hand-held ScanningIntegrated Terminal. The Scanner Integrated Terminal 26 is shownconnected to an ISP 4 by way of a radio-base station 27 and wirelesslink 5. The hand-held Scanning Integrated Terminal 26 has an integratedGUI-based web browser program, display panel 28, touch-screen typekeypad 29, and programmed bar code symbol scanner 20. The function ofthe bar code symbol scanner 20 is to read a bar code symbol 8 that isencoded with the URL of a Web-site to be accessed by the InternetScanning System, and produce symbol character data representativethereof.

In the illustrative embodiment, the Scanner Integrated Terminal 26 isrealized as a transportable computer, such as the Newton® Model 130Messagepad 30 from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. This deviceis provided with NetHopper™ brand Internet Access Software from whichsupports the TCP/IP networking protocol within the Newton MessagePad.The Newton Messagepad is also equipped with a Motorola PCMCIA-basedmodem card 31 having a RF transceiver for establishing a wirelessdigital communication link with either (i) a cellular base station, or(ii) one or more satellite-base stations 27 connected to the Internet byway of an ISP 4 in a manner well known in the global informationnetworking art. While it is understood that, in some instances, it maybe desired to connect a pen or wand device to the serial port of theNewton MessagePad to provide bar code symbol reading capabilitiesthereto, it is generally preferred that automatic laser scanning engine20 (e.g., Metrologic ScanQuest® Laser Scanning Module Model No. IS4120),be interfaced with the serial communications port of the NewtonMessagePad so as to realize the Internet Scanning System of the thirdillustrative embodiment hereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, the combined Newton MessagePad, ScanQuest® LaserScanning Module 20 and auxiliary battery supply (not shown) arecompletely housed within a rubberized shock-proof housing 32, in orderto provide a hand-supportable unitary device. The rubberized housing isprovided with a scanning aperture 10 realized within an opticallytransparent scanning plate 9A supported by extension 9B. The function ofthe scanning aperture 10 is to allow the projected laser beam 12 tosweep across a URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 located within the sightingwindow 10 of optically-transparent scanning plate 9A, once the object(e.g., Web-site guide) 13 is detected by the object detection field 11.

In each of the three illustrative embodiments described above, the barcode symbol scanner can be replaced by a programmed optical characterreader realized using the automatic holographic laser scanningtechnology disclosed in great detail in Applicant's copendingapplication Ser. No. 08/573,949 filed Dec. 18, 1995, incorporated hereinby reference. The function of the programmed optical character reader isto allow the Internet Scanning Terminal to access any desired Web-siteby reading the alphanumeric character string comprising the URL thereof,and provide the same as output to the GUI-based Internet browser programthereof. In such alternative embodiments, the function of the opticalcharacter reader (i.e., character reading module) is to read the ASCIIcharacters comprising the URL 14 printed on a Web-site guide or likepublication, avoiding the need for manual key entry operations.

Having described various illustrative embodiments of the InternetScanning Terminal of the present invention, it is appropriate at thisjuncture to describe a system and method for composing, transmitting andprinting lists (e.g., menus) of URL-encoded bar code symbols in variousways according to the principles of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the Web-linked client computer workstation 6 of FIG.1 has a graphical user interface (GUI) and an Internet browser (orcommunicator) program that has a plug-in type module (i.e. subprogram)composing, transmitting and printing lists and menus of URL-encoded barcode symbols and information elements associated therewith (hereinafterthe "Composition/Printing Module"). The composition/Printing Module canbe realized as a plug-in module to the Netscape Navigator browserprogram, the Microsoft Explorer browser program, or other Internetcommunication browser program presently available or developed in theyears ahead, using programming techniques and languages (e.g., Java)known in the art. The purpose of this Module is to cooperate with theInternet browser program and support the user during the composition andediting of lists (i.e., menus) of URL-encoded bar code symbols andinformation fields related thereto in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention, and then enable such lists and menus to beprinted locally using printer 35 shown in FIG. 1, or transmitted to aremotely located system for printing. As such, the Module is providedwith an editing mode to edit information entered into information fieldsassociated with any particular bar code list or menu of the presentinvention. Composition and printing functionalities and enablingprogramming code embodied within the Module or browser program of thepresent invention can be found in Bar Code Pro® brand Bar Code SymbolComposing and Printing software sold by SYNEX, of Brooklyn, N.Y.Optionally, the Module and/or browser program can also embody thefunctionalities provided by FilePro® bar code database software, alsoavailable from SYNEX.

As shown in FIG. 4, the Composition/Printing Module has an associated"display window" which can be opened in a conventional manner to allowthe user to easily compile bar code symbol menus during operation of anInternet browser program. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG.4, the bar code menu display window is shown to comprise informationdisplay fields 36A, 36B 36N associated with three exemplary informationresources on the WWW that have been listed within a bar code menu incomposition. As shown, this listing of information display fieldsgraphically present on. display monitor 6A: a set of human-readable URLScorresponding to a set or course of information serving Web-sitesschematically represented in FIG. 5 and iin callouts, 36A1, 36B1, 36N1;a set of titles assigned to the URLs (which may be directed to the ownerof the site, the information content contained therein, etc.) 36A2,36B2, 36N2; a set of brief descriptions of content (DOC) served at theWeb-sites indicated by reference numerals 36A3, 36B3, 36N3; and the dateor dates the set of Web-sites were last visited by the last composer,indicated by reference numerals 36A4, 36B4, 36N4.

In FIG. 6A, an information storage structure 37 is shown for storing theinformation elements associated with a given URL information block in abar code menu composed using the Composing/Printing Module duringon-line Internet surfing sessions or while off-line. As shown, eachinformation storage structure 37 comprises the following informationfields for a given information resource: URL Field 37A for storing ofthe URL of Web-site location (e.g., information resource) associatedtherewith; URL-Encoded Bar Code field 37B for storing informationdescriptive of the URL-Encoded bar code associated with the URL of theinformation resource; Title Field 37C for storing informationdescriptive of the title assigned to the corresponding informationresource; Content Description Field 37D for storing informationdescriptive of the content of the information resource; and Data Field37E for storing information descriptive of the date the composer or hisagent last visited the information resource prior to composition of thebar code symbol menu.

In FIG. 6B, an exemplary section of a printed URL-encoded menu is shown.As shown, each printed block of information 38 associated with aparticular Web-site (or Internet information resource) has the followinginformation display fields: an information display field for graphicallydisplaying the corresponding URL, indicated by reference numeral 38A; aninformation display field for the URL-encoded bar code symbol, indicatedby reference numeral 38B; an information display field for graphicallydisplaying the Title assigned to Web-site location referenced by thecorresponding URL, indicated by reference numeral 38C; and aninformation display field for graphically displaying the description ofthe information content served at the Web-site location referenced bythe corresponding URL, indicated by reference numeral 38D; and aninformation display field for graphically displaying the date on whichthe composer or his agent last visited the information resource,indicated by reference numeral 38E. In general, a, number of suchinformation display blocks can be printed on a single sheet of printmedia (e.g., paper, plastic, etc.) 39. The particular display layout forthe information display block will depend on the application at hand andtypically will vary from embodiment to embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, in some embodiments, the printed informationdisplay blocks will be arranged in a single column down each printedsheet. In other embodiments, the printed information display blocks willbe arranged a two or more rows or columns. In yet other embodiments, thelayout of such information display blocks may be of random orquasi-random structure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B set forth a high-level flow chart describing the stepscarried out during composition, transmission and printing of UPL-encodedbar codes according to the method of the present invention. In theillustrative embodiment, this method is carried out while using aGUT-based Internet browser program (on-line), with the above-describedplug-in Module installed therein enabling the user to compose, transmitand print bar code menus of the type schematically illustrated in FIGS.6A and 6B. It is understood, however, that the method can also becarried out while the Internet browser program is "off-line".Alternatively, the functionalities of the module to be described ingreater detail below can be realized in a separate program designed torun "in the background" of the operating system while the browser isrunning, or run by itself when the Internet browser program is notrunning.

As indicated in Block A of FIG. 7A, the method involves firstdetermining completely or partially, a set of information resources onthe Internet (e.g., WWW or FTP Servers) that the composer wishes tovisit presently or in the future. Typically, although not always, theInternet browser program with the installed Composition/Printing Modulebrowser hereof will be enabled during the composition process, generallyrepresented at Blocks A through D in FIG. 7A. This list or ordered setof information sources identified by the composer may be thematicallyrelated by a particular subject or topic which the composer may have inmind before, during or after the composition process. The list may be,however, simply a collection of information resources on the WWW, forexample, which the composer would like to catalog in the form of a barcode menu so that others may easily visit the catalogued collection ofWeb-sites by simply reading URL-encoded bar code symbols from a printedmenu, as described hereinabove. In the field of education, for example,such bar code menus could be composed by teachers or professors anddistribute to their students so that they can visit the cataloguedWeb-sites either inside or outside the classroom or lecture hall.Writers and/or editors of books, journals and magazines could printURL-encoded bar code symbols in the back of their works (correspondingto references cited in their published publications). Brochures andmanuals for products and/or services could contain lists of URL-encodedbar code symbols that point to information resources on the Internet,which contain information relating to such products and/or services.Printed (i.e. hard-copy) Web-site magazines, catalogues, directories andthe like can be formatted with URL-encoded bar code symbols of thepresent invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1A and described above, toenable Internet access thereto by scanning such encoded bar codesymbols.

As indicated at Block B in FIG. 7A, the composer employs the Internetbrowser program of the present invention to record the URLs for the setof information resources on the WWW. The URLs can be entered into theirappropriate information recording fields, consecutively at a particularpoint in time, or over a period of time when the composer is surfing theWWW and determining which WWW information resources should be cataloguedwithin the menu under composition.

As indicated at Block C in FIG. 7A, the composer records a number ofinformation items in an information storage file (as shown in FIG. 6A)displayed on the Internet browser screen 40 of the computer terminalshown in FIG. 4. For each WWW information resource, the composer isencouraged to enter the following information items: the URL for the WWWinformation resource; the Title assigned to the WWW information resourceby the composer; and the description of the information content at theWWW information resource. Collectively, these related items ofinformation are stored and form an information block within theinformation storage structure of the file maintained by the CTP Module.

As indicated at Block D in FIG. 7A, after each information block isrecorded for a particular WWW information resource, the plug-inComposition/Printing Module is used to automatically generate aURL-encoded bar code symbol information structure therefor and recordthis information in its respective information field within theinformation storage structure represented in FIG. 6. Once a list of URLshas been captured and recorded within the information storage structureunderlying any particular bar code menu, the composer may then decideduring the editing mode of the plug-in Module, exactly how the Web-siteinformation blocks, shown in FIGS. 6B, should be ordered forpresentation to his or her audience upon printing.

As indicated in FIG. E of FIG. 7B, a composed bar code symbol menu asshown in FIG. 6B is printed out on a sheet of paper using conventionalPostscript® printing equipment 35, illustrated in FIG. 1, for example.At this stage of the process, the following information items areprinted out for each WWW information resource: the URL for the WWWinformation resource; the URL-encoded bar code symbol; the titleassigned to the WWW information resource by the composer; thedescription of the WWW information resource; and the date on which thecomposer or his agent last visited the information resource. Expectedly,the display format for any printed information file according to thepresent invention will vary from embodiment to embodiment. Preferably,the Composition/Printing module installed within the Internet browserprogram hereof will be provided with a number of different displayformats, from which the composer can easily choose to satisfy therequirements of the project and application at hand.

As indicated at Block F, the composer may optionally choose to transportby electronic data transmission or facsimile transmission, any composedbar code symbol menu according to the present invention. In suchinstances, the compiled information storage file (as shown in FIG. 6A)representing the composed menu can be electronically transmitted to aremote site, by e-mail, facsimile transmission, or other protocolavailable over the Internet, and thereafter printed out usingappropriate print-driver software. This way, the WWW informationresources listed in the compiled information structure can be easilyvisited by reading the corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbols intothe Internet browser program using a bar code scanner. Alternatively,the bar code menu can be printed out locally and then transmitted to aremote location by way of facsimile transmission for print out andsubsequent use. When using this latter technique, however, carefulconsideration must be accorded to the resolution of the printed barcodes, as their resolution may be significantly reduced due to the scanquality of the facsimile transmission, and printing required by thislatter technique. In such instances, it may be desirable to scale-up thebar codes during menu composition to compensate for expected resolutionlosses downstream.

The bar code menu composition/printing process of the present inventionhas been described above in connection with a commercially availableGUI-based Internet Browser program that has been provided with a plug-inmodule that enables the menu composition, transmission and printingprocesses of the present invention. It is understood, however, that inalternative embodiments of the present invention, an independent programmay be written to carry out the interactive menucomposition/transmission/printing process illustrated in FIGS. 7A and7B. In such instances, the composition program could be designed to runin the background of the operating system while the composer is usingthe Internet browser program to explore Cyberspace and determine whichWeb-sites should be listed in the bar code menu in composition. Once alist of URLs has been captured and recorded within the informationstorage structure underlying any particular bar code menu, the composermay later, during the editing mode of the program, decide exactly howthe Web-site information blocks, shown in FIG. 6A, should be ordered forpresentation to his or her audience upon printing.

Having described the illustrative embodiments of the present invention,several modifications readily come to mind.

Instead of using a laser scanning module to construct the InternetScanning Terminals of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2and 3, one may use CCD-type bar code scanning engines (or modules)employing LEDs to illuminate bar code symbols in the scan field, andCCD-type linear or array devices for capturing images thereof forsubsequent decode processing. Examples of CCD scanning modules that canbe used to construct CCD-based Internet Scanning Terminals according tothe present invention can be found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:5,550,366; 5,354,977; 5,291,009; 5,484,994; 5,349,172; 5,532,467; eachbeing incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Also, instead of using encoding 1-D (linear-type) bar code symbols withURL information, as taught herein, one may encode URL information in 2-Dbar code symbols as schematically illustrated in FIG. 8. In suchinstances, one would provide a 2-D bar code symbol reading engine (ordevice) within each Internet Scanning Terminal of the present inventionto read the URL information encoded within the 2-D bar code symbols.Examples of 2-D laser scanning bar code symbol reading devices that canbe used to construct "2-D type" Internet Scanning Terminals according tothe principles of the present invention are disclosed in the followingU.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,594,232; 5,523,552; 5,504,316; 5,414,250; 5,373,148;5,319,181; each being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.In other embodiments of the present invention, one may employ scanningmodules capable of reading both 1-D and 2-D type bar code symbols.

In order to indicate that a particular printed publication or objectbears a URL-encoded bar code symbol according to the present invention,and not a conventional bar code symbol (e.g., UPC Symbol), it may beadvantageous to print the entire or primary portion of the encoded URL(e.g., http://www.metrologic.com) about the perimeters of theURL-encoded bar code symbol, in a similar way that UPC numbers areprinted below UPC-type bar code symbols. This printing convention, onceadopted, will help consumers determine which bar code symbols provide"Internet Access", in contrast with other types of bar code symbols.

In instances where the character string length of the URLs becomes long,particularly in connection with information resources that are stored invery-large Web-based database management systems (DBMS), it may bedesirable to encode the URLs (to shorten their character string length)prior to encoding the URL within the bar code symbology being employed.

In the illustrative embodiments, the exemplary information resourceshave been indicated as being stored within WWW information servers, andthus, the URLs for such information resources have been included in thecharacter substring "http://www." It is understood, however, thatURL-encoded bar code symbols according to the present invention may alsorefer (i.e., point) to information resources stored on any type ofInternet information server (e.g., a FTP information server) accessiblethrough an Internet browser or communication program of an InternetScanning Terminal of the present invention.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirableto encode the URL of a particular information resource within two ormore moderate-length bar code symbols, instead of within a singlelong-length bar code symbol, thereby allowing the use of shorter lengthbar code symbols on printed menus and lists.

In such an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the primary portion of theURL (e.g., "http://www.metrologic.com") identifying the location of theWWW Server can be encoded within a first bar code symbol, whereas theauxiliary portion of the URL (e.g., "/products/MS6720.html") indicatingthe location of the information resource (web pages) relative to theidentified WWW Server can be encoded with a second bar code symbol.Internet Access to such an information resource could then be achievedin a two-step process, namely: (1) scan the first bar code symbol toaccess the home page of the WWW Server located by"http://www.metrologic.com"; and (2) scan the second bar code symbol toaccess the information resource located by "Products/MS6720/.html".Preferably, the primary and auxiliary segments of the URL would beprinted below the first and second bar code symbols respectively, asshown in FIG. 9. This composite bar code symbol structure can be usedduring the menu composition process of the present invention asdescribed in detail hereinabove.

The Internet Scanning Terminals and Bar Code Menu Composition System ofthe present invention may be modified, in a variety of ways, to carryout a diverse range of functions relating to various aspects of thepresent invention. All modifications and variations of the illustrativeembodiments are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the presentinvention as defined by the accompanying Claims to Invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-based system for accessing anddisplaying Internet-based information resources stored in informationservers on the Internet and composing menus of URL-encoded bar codesymbols specifying the location of said Internet-based informationresources on the Internet, said system comprising:a computer systemoperably connectable to the Internet by way of an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP), and having a visual display screen and a data inputmeans; a GUI-based Internet browser program, supported by said computersystem, and enabling a user to access and display of Internet-basedinformation resources on said visual display screen, each saidInternet-based information resource being stored on an informationserver connected to the Internet, and at a location specified by aUniform Resource Locator (URL) defined on the Internet; and a URL-menucomposition program, supported by said computer system, and enabling auser to compose a menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols, each saidURL-encoded bar code symbol being encoded with a URL specifying thelocation of said Internet-based information resource on the Internet;wherein, during the operation of the Internet browser program, saidURL-menu composition program allows the user to compile said menu ofURL-encoded bar code symbols for printing on a selected print medium,and wherein, after said menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols are printedon said selected print medium, an Internet-based information resourcespecified by its URL-encoded bar code symbol on said menu can beautomatically accessed and displayed by reading the URL-encoded bar codesymbol with a bar code symbol reader operably connected to an Internetenabled computer system provided with a bar code driven Internet browserprogram.
 2. The computer-based system of claim 1, wherein said URL-menucomposition program comprises a plug-in type module for integration withsaid GUI-based Internet browser program.
 3. The computer-based system ofclaim 1, wherein said Internet-based information resources comprises aplurality of HTML-encoded documents.
 4. The computer-based system ofclaim 1, wherein said menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols furthercomprises, for each said URL-encoded bar code symbol listed in saidmenu, one or more of the following information elements:a human-readableURL corresponding to said URL-encoded bar code symbol; a titledescription assigned to said URL-encoded bar code symbol; a briefdescription of the content of the Internet-based information resourcespecified by said URL-encoded bar code symbol; a date indicating whenthe Information-based information resource was last accessed anddisplayed by the composer of said menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols.5. The computer-based system of claim 1, wherein said URL-menucomposition program comprises:a composing mode of operation during whichsaid menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols is composed; and an editingmode of operation during which said menu of URL-encoded bar code symbolsis edited.
 6. The computer-based system of claim 5, wherein saidURL-menu composition program further comprises a printing mode ofoperation during which said menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols isprinted on said selected print medium.
 7. The computer-based system ofclaim 1, which further comprises a printer, operably connected to saidcomputer system, for printing said menu of URL-encoded bar code symbolson said selected print medium.
 8. The computer-based system of claim 7,which further comprises a bar code symbol reader operably connected tosaid computer system, for reading one or more of URL-encoded bar codesymbols on said menu and automatically accessing and displaying theInternet-based information resources specified by said one or more ofURL-encoded bar code symbols printed on said selected print medium. 9.The computer-based system of claim 8, wherein said visual display screenis realized by a visual display device.
 10. The computer-based system ofclaim 8, wherein said data input means comprises a keyboard.
 11. Amethod of accessing and displaying Internet-based information resourcesstored in information servers on the Internet and composing menus ofURL-encoded bar code symbols specifying the location of saidInternet-based information resources on the Internet, said methodcomprising the steps of:(a) operably connecting a computer system to theInternet by way of an Internet Service Provider (ISP), said computersystem having a visual display screen and a data input means, andsupporting a GUI-based Internet browser program and a URL-menucomposition program, said GUI-based Internet browser program enabling auser to access and display of Internet-based information resources onsaid visual display screen, each said Internet-based informationresource being stored on an information server connected to theInternet, and at a location specified by a Uniform Resource Locator(URL) defined on the Internet, and said URL-menu composition programenabling a user to compose a menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols, eachsaid URL-encoded bar code symbol being encoded with a URL specifying thelocation of said Internet-based information resource on the Internet;(b) during the operation of the Internet browser program, using saidURL-menu composition program to compile said menu of URL-encoded barcode symbols for printing on a selected print medium; and (c) after saidmenu of URL-encoded bar code symbols are composed, printing said menu ofURL-encoded bar code symbols on said selected print medium.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, which further comprises after step (c)(d) accessingone or more Internet-based information resources specified byURL-encoded bar code symbols on said printed menu by reading saidURL-encoded bar code symbols using a bar code symbol reader operablyconnected to an Internet-enabled computer system provided with a barcode driven Internet browser program.
 13. The method of claim 11, whereduring step (a) said URL-menu composition program comprises a plug-intype module for integration with said GUI-based Internet browserprogram.
 14. The method of claim 11, where during step (a) saidInternet-based information resources comprises a plurality ofHTML-encoded documents.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein step (b)comprises composing said menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols such that,for each said URL-encoded bar code symbol listed in said menu, one ormore of the following information elements are included in said menu:ahuman-readable URL corresponding to said URL-encoded bar code symbol; atitle description assigned to said URL-encoded bar code symbol; a briefdescription of the content of the Internet-based information resourcespecified by said URL-encoded bar code symbol; a date indicating whenthe Information-based information resource was last accessed anddisplayed by the composer of said menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols.16. The method of claim 11, wherein after step (b) but before step (c),said method further comprises:editing said menu of URL-encoded bar codesymbols.